杨仪盼

Penny’s accolades are well-deserved. The food’s all about pristine seafood cooked “simply” to bring out their inherent flavors. You must order the stuffed squid and the seafood broken rice, plus some sesame brioche to soak up the sauce on that squid. The squid’s full of that charcoal-kissed flavor without the slightest hint of overcooking. Extremely tender, light crisp on the thin tentacles, stuffed with minced tuna to add body and meatiness. The sauce was addictive, a fruity earthy chili oil with a hint of heat and some acidity to brighten it up without turning it sour. The rice dish transported me to Maine, full of fresh sweet lobster dipped in butter, amplified 10x. Perhaps a stock made from the shells and tomalley? The rice was the right vehicle to deliver maximum comfort, more soothing than a buttered roll. This dish would not feel out of place being served at Le Bernardin with a more elegant plating. The ice box and scallops were of course great. But these two dishes are what I’ll remember for a long time. Service was highly attentive. Everyone’s glasses were constantly topped up. There was always someone to answer any questions. Overall, I enjoyed Penny much more than many tasting menu spots. The dishes were impactful with clear, intense flavors. It’s worth the hassle of getting a reservation.

The ice box is wonderful. I will go back for this and a glass of sherry. The ice box featured Gaia Oysters from New Brunswick, the most perfectly prepared shrimp cocktail, fresh clams, a sea bass ceviche, and perfectly marinated mussels. The Oyster Confit was outstanding. The concept of slow-cooking the oysters in rich chicken fat and serving them with crème fraîche and crackers is a stroke of genius. I would gladly go back for this item alone. The Stuffed Squid was very nice. The squid was tender, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Be sure to save some of the bread to fully soak up every drop of that excellent sauce. Both the Seaweed Salad and the Beet Boquerones were excessively acidic, which overpowered the flavor of the otherwise perfectly prepared ingredients. I enjoyed a Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray here as well. The service was impeccable.

If you can get a reservation and you enjoy seafood then you are definitely going to enjoy Penny! Every dish is expertly prepared and beautifully presented. The shrimp cocktail was succulent and so delicious. Tuna carpaccio, tender with subtle marinade, the Halibut with spinach just melted in your mouth... I could go on all day! A very knowledgeable sommelier is on hand if you want pairing reccomendations, and every member of the team were approachable professionals. Amazing!

I’m still in love with Penny. Everything about it is dialed in — the interior, the lighting, the little details, the vibe… it feels effortless but you can tell it’s insanely intentional. The fish is unreal, the flavors are clean and confident, and the wine program is on another level. It’s that rare kind of seafood bar where every bite tastes like someone actually obsessed over it before it hit the table. What’s honestly crazy is this: you can’t get this anywhere else… but here. And that’s coming from someone from South Florida — because no place in Miami even comes close to this level of “fancy seafood bar” done right. Down here, most seafood spots with a bar vibe lean more divey. This concept? If it opened in SoFlo it would be booked out for weeks without even trying. Penny is special. Period.

Very good food, I particularly liked the raw bar. The dover entree was surprisingly bland and a little dry. The red snapper crudo had a bit too much orange. The chocolate mousse was pretty good, though the olive oil made it a bit too rich. I loved the music, 70s punk and post punk. However, it was easy too loud and I couldn't hear the person next to me very well. It's only bar seating, and it wasn't very comfortable. Overall, I found it expensive and given how hard it is to get a reservation, I wouldn't recommend it.